Man charged in killing of girlfriend's toddler son

A 23-year-old Chicago man was charged with killing the 18-month-old son of his live-in girlfriend because he was angry, police said.

Tinnell Smith, of the 4200 block of South Calumet Avenue in the Bronzeville neighborhood, was charged with first degree murder and is expected to appear in bond court on Thursday, according to Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

Smith was taking care of the boy, Adonis Bright, alone on Sunday evening at the home he shared with the boy and the boy's mother, police said.

Police were summoned to the home after an emergency call indicated that the child was unresponsive. When police arrived, they found the boy bleeding from his mouth.

Smith originally told investigators that the boy had fallen out of his crib, police said. Smith later told police that he beat the child in the face and chest with closed fists because he was angry, police said.

Adonis had bruising to his face and body, pulmonary contusions and head injuries, officials said.

An autopsy today determined that the boy suffered multiple injuries consistent with child abuse and officials ruled the death a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Investigators with the Illinois Department of Children and Family services is investigating Smith for abuse and neglect, including allegations that the boy's death was caused by abuse, said DCFS Spokesman Kendall Marlowe.

A younger sibling of the boy was taken from the home and has been placed in foster care, said Marlowe.

Last August the department investigated an allegation of abuse against the boy's mother which was deemed to be unfounded. In September supportive services began being offered to the family. In April of this year, the office opened an investigation of abuse against the mother of the boy which is still pending.